Your thoughts

ole dummy · Apr 11, 2016

I am looking at a new 3301 Kubota and a 2006 3130 Grande L Kubota, trying to decide on which tractor would be best for me. Just don't know about this regen stuff on the new one. The 3130 is at a dealership and has 605 hrs showing on it. Everything works on it, only negative I can see is faded paint on the wheels. No rust or dents on it one new rear tire and all other tires are 75% tread also has a canopy on it. They have priced me the 3301 for $19,405 and the 3130 for $14,000. I am going to use it on 6 acres for mostly gardening and some light bushhogging so I think either tractor will do what I want to do. Also both are 4 wheel drive with FEL. I am leaning toward the Grande L but am not sure which way to go, your opinions please.

jeff9366 · Apr 11, 2016

The L3130 weighs around 3,200 pounds, tractor only.

The new L3301 weighs around 2,700 pounds, tractor only. Your earlier posts indicate you owned an L2900, 2,600 pounds, tractor only. The new L3301 is an updated L2900.

My experience with Grand L models is limited to xx40 and xx60 series but I expect the flat floor, generous spaced operating station and plethora of nice features standard on the later Grand L's were also part of the xx30 series. The Grand Ls chassis, engine, etc are manufactured and assembled in Japan, then shipped intact to the USA, where optional loaders and backhoes may be added. Many would opine the Grand Ls are slightly higher quality.

If the Grand L was inside stored, go with it. If Grand L was outside stored since 2006, I would consider the L3301 more closely.

Odd tires are 75% at 605 hours. In my conditions I do not think tires would be 75% until 1,200 hours or later. Maybe it was habitually driven on pavement with 4-WD engaged, scuffing the tires.

Both tractors are well matched to the uses you have expressed.

k0ua · Apr 11, 2016

ole dummy said:
I am looking at a new 3301 Kubota and a 2006 3130 Grande L Kubota, trying to decide on which tractor would be best for me. Just don't know about this regen stuff on the new one. The 3130 is at a dealership and has 605 hrs showing on it. Everything works on it, only negative I can see is faded paint on the wheels. No rust or dents on it one new rear tire and all other tires are 75% tread also has a canopy on it. They have priced me the 3301 for $19,405 and the 3130 for $14,000. I am going to use it on 6 acres for mostly gardening and some light bushhogging so I think either tractor will do what I want to do. Also both are 4 wheel drive with FEL. I am leaning toward the Grande L but am not sure which way to go, your opinions please.

You didn't mention how the 3130 or 3301 were equipped. Does the 3130 have SSQA? does it have any remotes? What transmissions for each, does the 3130 have telescoping lower links and stabilizers? Which loader on the 3130? La723? or La513? Of course the La723 would be the most desireable. The 3130 has more weight which means it can "push more pull more, do more" just like a Mahindra.

Do the tires selections suit you? Was the 3130 well maintained? 605 hours is not very many, so I would not be too scared of that. $5405 would sure buy a lot of implements or diesel fuel. Lots of questions.

varmint · Apr 11, 2016

My L3130 had about 1200 hours, but everything worked more like it was 120 hours. The 3 point does have extendable lower links and stabilizers. It doesn't have a lot of power, but enough, and the weight is well matched. I had the LA723, with SSQA, and I miss its capacity- our L3400 has a bit more HP, but otherwise is less tractor- the Grand L3130 is a nice tractor. You probably want loaded rear tires with it, to really get all its capabilities- if not now, try to make that part of the deal.
The wheels may have been USA sourced, with different paint: I see a lot of Kubotas where the wheel paint is more faded than the tractor itself. kOua's questions are relevant... tires, tranny, loader, etc., and could make our "opinions" vary accordingly. We sold our L3130 for over $14,000, in early 2015, but it was clean, serviced, and I had added some good lighting and so forth. (note the faded wheels in photo! I had forgotten about that.)

k0ua · Apr 11, 2016

Some masking tape and a rattle can could fix the looks of those wheels pretty quick.

ole dummy · Apr 11, 2016

Neither tractor has the quick attach bucket, both has one remote. The 3130 has a shuttle shift and the 3301 has what he called a shuttle shift but it was different from the 3130. 3130 has telescoping lower links, 3301 did not. 3130 has the La 723 bucket 3301 had a smaller bucket but I can't remember the numbers. Ag tires on both which is what I want. 3130 looked well maintained no leaks, no dents, normal wear and tear. Small tear in the seat.

jeff9366 · Apr 11, 2016

If the Grand L was inside stored, go with it. If Grand L was outside stored since 2006, I would consider the L3301 more closely.

If you are fifty years of age or older, the convenience features on the Grand L will mean a lot as years pass.

ole dummy · Apr 11, 2016

Pics of 3130

murphy1244 · Apr 11, 2016

Whats with the rear tires?

k0ua · Apr 11, 2016

ole dummy said:
Neither tractor has the quick attach bucket, both has one remote. The 3130 has a shuttle shift and the 3301 has what he called a shuttle shift but it was different from the 3130. 3130 has telescoping lower links, 3301 did not. 3130 has the La 723 bucket 3301 had a smaller bucket but I can't remember the numbers. Ag tires on both which is what I want. 3130 looked well maintained no leaks, no dents, normal wear and tear. Small tear in the seat.

Sorry to hear that there is no SSQA. on the 3130 there were 3 transmissions, 8x8 shuttle 12x8 Glide shift and of course Hydrostatic. You will really like the telescoping lower links and stabilizers. Good that it has the La723 loader, quite a bit more loader than the La525 on the L3301. The SSQA can be added to the La723, but it will cost some bux. it is worth it though in my mind.

It is up to you, but I would be inclined to buy the 3130. Quite a bit more tractor. Yes it is older and no warranty, but more features and more weight. and much more lift capacity on the loader and 3pt both.

Sammy3700 · Apr 11, 2016

Only thing I will add is go DRIVE the L3301. It sounds like it is a DT this not a true shuttle shift. You will half to come to a complete stop and use the clutch to shift from forward to reverse. My L3700SU and dad's L3800 are both hst and in my opinion this would be more in line with a grand shuttle shift. Just my thoughts on this.

k0ua · Apr 11, 2016

murphy1244 said:
Whats with the rear tires?

Maybe make a deal with the dealer to order another rear tire for the other side, and offer to split the cost with him as an offer.

ole dummy · Apr 11, 2016

yep, that is what the letters were, DT, I had forgotten that. Thanks for all the info I will probably go with the 3130.

ole dummy · Apr 11, 2016

murphy1244 said:
Whats with the rear tires?

He said the original tire had a bad place on it when he got it and replaced it.

k0ua · Apr 11, 2016

ole dummy said:
yep, that is what the letters were, DT, I had forgotten that. Thanks for all the info I will probably go with the 3130.

OK then it has the 8x8 shuttle shift. I you are good with that (and it sounds like you are) then go for it. I just wish it had 2 new rear tires and SSQA, but it is what it is. The GlideShift would have been nice, or my favorite the HST, but it would have probably been more money too.

ole dummy · Apr 11, 2016

Sammy3700 said:
Only thing I will add is go DRIVE the L3301. It sounds like it is a DT this not a true shuttle shift. You will half to come to a complete stop and use the clutch to shift from forward to reverse. My L3700SU and dad's L3800 are both hst and in my opinion this would be more in line with a grand shuttle shift. Just my thoughts on this.

I did drive the 3130 but not the 3301 yet. I had a L2900 a few years ago with shuttle shift so I know how the shuttle works but didn't know about the 3301. The dealer called it a shuttle shift but I knew it didn't work like the 3130

varmint · Apr 11, 2016

Not sure, but I think you'll want both rear tires to have the same age and, most importantly, tread pattern. Especially if you plan on keeping the tractor. Nothing wrong with the shuttle shift, unless short loader trips are all you do, period. Otherwise, you get a little more power to the ground and PTO... Still like the L3130. SSQA is doable, if you can weld and cut. Our L3400 had it installed by the last owner, and it seems just like the factory setup. Here's a link to another thread about just that:
http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/customization/349748-another-pin-ssqa-conversion.html

TripleR · Apr 11, 2016

Sure can't add much to the excellent advice and points made by others than to add, I owned an L30 Series bought new in 2003 with 1400 hours and loved it. The only reason I traded it in was to avoid the changes in the L60 Series, guy that bought mine was so excited about mine when he saw it at the dealer he called me to make sure there wasn't a catch.

kubotacres · Apr 11, 2016

ole dummy said:
I did drive the 3130 but not the 3301 yet. I had a L2900 a few years ago with shuttle shift so I know how the shuttle works but didn't know about the 3301. The dealer called it a shuttle shift but I knew it didn't work like the 3130

Actually the newer 3301/3901 are synchro so it is a upgrade from the 3200/3800. However the 3130 has the shuttle on the column. I'd personally go with the 3130. The Grand features are worth every penny.